In Typical deployment, all users on a WLAN are mapped to a single interface on the controller. With the help of AP groups we can specify that which SSID will be shown by which Access Point. However, we can choose to distribute the load among several interfaces or to a group of users based on specific criteria such as individual departments (Near to meeting rooms-Only broadcast Guest WLAN) and Corporate WLAN can be broadcasted in whole building means on each and every AP.

Each access point advertises only the enabled WLANs that belong to its access point group.

We can create access point groups (AP Groups) and assign up to 16 WLANs to each group. Each access point advertises only the enabled WLANs that belong to its access point group. The access point does not advertise disabled WLANs in its access point group or WLANs that belong to another group.

AP Groups Supported on Controller Platforms

Controller Platform

AP Groups Supported

Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controller

50

Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controller

500

Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller

200

Cisco 7500 Series Wireless Controller

6000

Cisco 8500 Series Wireless Controller

6000

Cisco Wireless Services Module 2

1000

There is already an AP group is there called “default-group” means all WLAN IDs 1 to16 mapped to this group by default.

All the access points connected to WLC automatically map to this group. Mean any WLAN (ID 1-16) will be available in any of the APs belong default group. If our WLAN ID is greater than 16, then we have to create an separate AP group to advertise that WLAN. Also if we want to advertise certain WLANs on particular APs, we must have to create an AP group for this.

Note: If we clear the configuration on the controller, all of the access point groups disappear except for the default access point group “default-group,” which is created automatically.

Topology:

I have already created WLAN and dynamic interfaces for specific WLANs. I will just create AP groups and assign the specific AP to these Groups.

Step1: Login to WLC, Go to WLAN> Advanced> AP Group click on Add Group

Step2: Enter the AP Group name:

IN my example it is as APG1, APG2 and APG3

Step3: Click on APG1and choose which Access Point should be in this group.

In the Green box: we will see the All Access Points connected to WLC

From the tab “Add APs” we can add specific AP to our group APG1:

In my example, I choose AP09, 19, 14,02,04,03

Note: In latest codes of WLC software, via AP Group we can controlRF profiles as well. Therefore we can have different RF characteristics to certain APs in our network. Also it supports 802.11u settings via AP Group. WLC code used in this post is 7.3.112.0.

Step4: Now we can add WLANs/Interface mapping to our AP Group: Only These WLANs will be shown by above selected Access points (In red box).